Automatic pickup device



July 13, 1954 J. B. LONG AUTOMATIC PICKUP DEVICE Filed Deo. ll, 1950Joel B. Long INVEN TOR.

Patented July 13, 1954 AUTOMATIC PICKUP DEVICE Joel B. Long, FortLauderdale, Fla., assigner of one-half to Louis Slovis, Knoxville, Tenn.

Application December 11, 1950, Serial No. 200,169

2 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in hand tools andthe primary object of the present invention is to provide a device forretrieving or picking up small objects of magnetic material such assteel screws, nuts, cotter keys, springs, washers or the like.

Another very important object of the present invention is to provide amagnet pick up device including a flexible support to which is secured apermanent magnet whereby the device may be readily bent to reach aroundobstructions, curves or recesses during the retrieving or picking up ofsmall metal objects.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a magnet pick updevice including a flexible shank that slidably supports a flexible rodtogether with novel and improved means for sliding the rod in the shankto selectively move a magnet mounted on the rod into and out of a guidetube secured to the shank.

A still further aim of the present invention is to provide a device ofthe aforementioned character that is simple and practical inconstruction, strong and reliable in use, small and compact instructure, neat and attractive in appearance, inexpensive tomanufacture, assemble and service, and otherwise well adapted for thepurposes for which the same is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein likenumerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a side elevational view of the present 7 invention and withparts broken away for the convenience of explanation;

Figure 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially onthe plane of section line 2--2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detail view partly in section and partly in elevationshowing the manner in which the trigger is operatively connected to themagnet holding rod;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the trigger f used in the presentinvention;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the flexible tubular shankused in the present invention;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view showing the device in slightly modifiedform including a sliding button for retaining the magnet exposed fromits guide; and,

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the planeof section line 'l--l of Figure 6.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein for the purpose ofillustration, there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the numeral I0 represents a hand grip I' whose upper portionI2 is formed with a bore I4 having a threaded entrance opening IE and areduced rear portion I8.

A flexible tubular shank 20 of woven or braided metal includes a rearend that is fixed by welding or the like to a tubular bolt or plug 22.The bolt 22 is threaded in the entrance opening I6 and its head abutsthe forward face of the portion I2. The forward externally threaded end2li of the shank 20 receivably engages a nut 26 that is suitably fixedto the rear end of a guide tube 28 in which there is slidably received apermanent magnet 30.

A relatively thin flexible wire cable or shaft 32 is slidably receivedwithin the shank 20 and its forward end is suitably fixed to the rearend of the magnet 3d, The rear, enlarged, cylindrical end 34 of theshaft or rod 32 is slidably received in the rear end portion I8 of thebore I4 and supports a pair of abutments or rings 35 and 33 that areslidably received in the forward portion of the bore I4.

The hand grip Ill is formed with a slot ill that intersects the bore i4.A pivot 42 extends transversely through the upper walls of the slot l0and through a transverse opening 44 provided in the upper portion of atrigger or actuator 46 that is adapted to move into and out of the slot40. A pair of rounded ears 48 extend upwardly from the trigger 4S, enterthe bore Ill and straddle the portion 34 between the abutments 36 and38.

The rear face of the trigger, adjacent its lower end, is formed with atransverse recess 5E! that receives one end of a coil spring 52. Theother end of the spring 52 enters the slot it and yieldingly embraces alug 54 on the rear wall of the slot III). The spring 52 yieldingly urgesthe trigger from the slot 48 and the shaft 32 rearwardly to confine themagnet 30 in the guide tube 28.

The rear portion IS of the bore I4 is closed by a plug 56 that isthreaded therein and the hand grip Il? is integrally formed with a hook58 that rises from the portion I2 whereby the device may be hung from asupporting structure when not in use.

In practical use of the present invention, the trigger i6 is manuallyurged into the slot Il@ whereupon the ears 48 ride against the abutment36 to force the magnet from the guide tube 30. As the trigger isreleased by the user, the spring 52 returns the trigger to its normalposition with the ears t3 riding against the abutment 38 to return themagnet into the guide tube.

The flexibility of the shank 2G and rod 32 will permit the device to beemployed for its intended use regardless of obstructions, curves,recesses or the like.

Means is provided for retaining the magnet 30 exposed from the guidetube 28 and this means consists of an extension 55 on the plug 5B thatwill engage the end portion 34. A manual adjustment of the plug 56 inthe rear end portion I8 will cause the rod 32 and magnet 30 to be lockedor retained in their forward position with the magnet exposed for use.

Figures 6 and 7 show the means for retaining the magnet exposed from theguide 30 in slightly modified form. In this embodiment, the end portion34a of the exible shaft is formed with a peripheral groove 34h that willreceive a lug 35 on a slide button or retainer 31 when the shaft 32 isdisposed in its forward position with the magnet 30 exposed from theguide' 28. The

wall of the handle Il] is provided with a slot 39,V

being manufactured under the name Alnico, be

used in the device since such a magnet is more practical and durablethan other types.

In View of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings it is believed that a clear understanding of thedevice will be quite apparent to those skilled in this art. A moredetailed description is accordingly deemed unnecessary.

It is to be understood, however, that even though there is herein shownand described a preferred embodiment of the invention the same issusceptible to certain changes fully comprehended by the spirit of theinvention as herein described and the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A magnetic pick up device comprising a pistol grip handle, a flexibletubular shank attached at one end to the handle, a flexible shaftslidably received in the shank and including a forward end projectingoutwardly from the shank, a magnet secured to the forward end of saidshaft, a guide tube secured to said shank and slidably receiving saidmagnet, a trigger pivoted to the handle and engaging the shaft to slidethe shaft within the shank and'selectvely move the magnet into and outof the guide tube, and spring means acting on said trigger to urge theshaft toward the handle and the magnet within the guide tube.

2. A magnetic pick up device comprising a pistol grip handle, aflexibletubular shank attached at one end to the handle, a flexible shaftslidably received in the shank and including a forward end projectingoutwardly from the shank, a magnet secured to the forward end of saidshaft, a guide tube secured to said shank and slidably receiving saidmagnet, said handle having a bore slidably receiving therear end of saidshaft, said handle also having a slot intersecting said bore, a triggerpivoted to said handle for movement into and out of said slot, springmeans engaging the trigger and yieldingly urging thetrigger from theslot, a pair of abutm'ents on therear end of said shaft, and a pair ofears on said trigger extending into the bore and straddling said shaftbetween said abutments, said trigger being manually urged into said slotfor sliding the shaft forwardly to expose the magnet'from the guidetube.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 388,776 Hall Aug. 28, 1888 1,535,618 Mayer Apr. 28, 19251,787,112 King Dec. v30, 1930 2,155,913 Thompson et al. Apr. 25, 19392,191,170 Keehn et al Feb. 20, 1940 2,428,864 Boyd Oct. 14, 19472,547,990 Willms Apr. 10, 1951

